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Meet Meesha Salaria ~ Seven-year-old Author and Entrepreneur

It’s amazing what you’ll find on Google+ at 4:00 a.m. Last night (as of this writing), I stumbled across a live hangout taking place between Kim Beasley (a member of our Gnomies community) and Meesha Salaria, a seven-year-old author. What makes this particular young writer so inspirational is that her first book, Start, was written when she was only six and contains no editing on the part of her mother or any other professional editor.

Her book tackles one of the most fundamental philosophical principles of business. In order to accomplish anything in life, you have to take that first initial step. Start explores the principles of creating your own reality, taking action on your dreams, and simply making what you want to do in life possible.

About Meesha

Milan Salaria, Meesha’s mother, said: “We recognized early on that she has a knack for it (writing). All we did was provide the space for it.” At the age of six, Meesha was waking up with an immediate need to continue writing this book based on her life experiences to date, even though Meesha herself is technically just getting started with her own life.

After Kim Beasley’s interview with Meesha and her family, I was invited to take part in a post-interview discussion with Meesha. During the discussion, she revealed that her favorite books aren’t really children’s books at all, but more serious spiritual books with topics ranging from past lives to inner purpose. One title she mentioned by name, Rich Dad, Poor Dad is a well-known guide detailing how someone can achieve financial security through smart investing, real estate, and other financial growth and protection tips. Obviously, not your typical reading material for someone her age.

It surprised me just how many questions she had for us, asking about life in America and the thoughts of several other individuals taking part in the hangout. All the while, Kim Beasley smiled and shook her head at just how incredible this individual is that she just interviewed. In many ways I was just as pleasantly surprised.

Oh, and she made her own website after learning how at UIBC14 (Ultimate Internet Boot Camp) Melbourne. While the idea of someone so young learning how to design their own website might sound far-fetched, speaking to her will convince you otherwise. If anything, it’s clear she is going to leave a very big impact on the world during her lifetime.
About Start

Start is Meesha’s first book, a 54-page guide to understanding not only how parents can better relate to their children, but how getting a good start in anything is key to its success. Meesha explained in the interview and during the post-interview hangout that she intended the book to be read by anyone and everyone from age six up. Kids, parents, grandparents, and entrepreneurs (another word Meesha uses to describe herself on her site) could feasibly learn a thing or two from this book.

In the book, she details some of the lessons and what she refers to as miracles she has experienced during this early stage in her life. Through these experiences, her thoughts on philosophy and spirituality are formed, giving her a unique perspective on how the world works. She explained how important the lessons have been to her in understanding why things go wrong so that they may yield more positive results later on.

The book itself isn’t heavily edited. In fact, per Meesha’s request, the book contains no real editing at all. You see the words exactly as Meesha intended them to appear. This would normally be a big no-no in the world of literature, but to Meesha it’s a way to draw the reader into her world, frame of mind, and way of thinking. You can buy Meesha's book here or click on the picture of the book above.

Final Thoughts

Whether you decide to pick the book up or not, I think her story is an important one to tell. One child, hardly old enough to study multiplication by American school standards, has published her first self-help book filled with lessons from which even the most experienced entrepreneur might draw inspiration.

Perhaps Meesha is right. Perhaps we as adults really should act the role of facilitator and pave the way for our children to create something of their very own. This is one lesson I’m taking to heart, and I haven’t even read the book yet.